WYNN - Just Fun To Remember
This week my friend and co-worker Tony Mazur took a road trip, and found himself in Columbus and on the site of an old baseball stadium. Cooper Stadium on the near south side of town, has been replaced after many years of service to the Columbus Jets, then the Clippers (Indians AAA team). There are only overgrown remnants left. It closed in 2008 and this is what it looks like today. He sent me these pics! I always think things like this are fascinating. I mean, how do these places just remian abandoned?
Complete Stadium History Here!
Third Base Stands and the Uncovered Bleachers!
I told Tony I worked at Cooper Stadium many years ago when I was doing the morning show at a country station, WRMZ in C-Bus! I was the Clippers stadium announcer for three years in the mid 1980's, a side job I really liked. In those three years I had some great memories there. Some on the field, some off. Working the games till about 10PM, then getting up at about 3AM for the morning show! One game took two days! Curfew - then finished it the next night before the real game - 19 innings!
Scoreboard In The Outfield - It Was VERY Fancy In Those Days!
The Clippers were, and are in the International League (baseball's oldest league). At that time the Clippers were the Yankees AAA team. The players I saw play before they were stars was incredible. A number of Hall Of Famers, mostly for other teams. GREAT future MLB players like Tom Glavine, Paul Assenmacher, Ron Gant, David Justice, John Smoltz, Cecil Fielder. Pretty much all the great players in the Toronto Blue Jays organization that won a World Series or two. Many great Yankees, Twins, Braves, Orioles, Red Sox, Mets and others. As I look back it was a fun thing to see.
The old park was a jewel then. Hosting big crowds, and fun promotions. The press box was great, and so was the food. There was an actual grave yard just beyond the home run fence in right field. And talking with players from other teams, we were the envy of all other cities. It was clean, modern and sat about 15,000 I think.
Centerfield Fence - The Graveyard was just to the left of this vantage point in Right Field.
I sat in the best seat in the press box, next to the scoreboard operator and the official scorer. It was a great seat to see baseball and get paid. I met the San Diego Chicken, numerous sort of celebs that came to the park, THE George Steinbrenner, and almost all of the Yankee legends that were still alive then. And I mean ALL OF THEM! I heard some of the worst National Anthems ever sung, and some of the best. I also saw some great games, and some real dogs too.
The Concourse
At that time, Cooper (originally Franklyn County Stadium - the name changed in my first year with the Clippers) along with the new Diamond in Richmond were considered the very best minor league stadiums in the entire country. But other cities did catch up and time marched on. I always think when stadiums, theaters, amusement parks, and schools close, it's a sad thing. Places built specifically for humans to have fun. But new things replace those that have seen their day.
I went on to work the same job at The Diamond in Richmond for the Braves when I moved from Columbus for a new country station in Virginia. I have the same great memories there for the three years I was there too. If you ever went to Cooper Stadium, I hope you had fun. And just think, if it was many years ago, you may have heard my voice long before now.
The Sign
RIP Cooper Stadium and thanks! (Photos and inspiration from Tony Mazur)
Jon Pardi on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Jon Pardi performed his current single "Ain't Always The Cowboy" Thursday night (November 5) on Jimmy Kimmel Live...
WYNN - Let's EAT!
Even though the weekend was great and a ton of us got on the grill, sadly, colder weather is on the way, and we will cook differently
We just got a new crock-pot, and it worked great last week on a delicious pork roast. We needed a new one because we do use it a lot. Maybe you do too. So I ran across this site to help you rev up your crock-pot game.
Enjoy!
If You Missed Last Weeks Articles - Click These!
Country Music In Good Hands - Tuesday
Country Music In Good Hands - Wednesday
Country Music Memory Lane - The Bellamy Brothers
Darius Rucker on LIVE! With Kelly and Ryan
Darius Rucker stopped by virtually to talk with Kelly and Ryan about Hootie and the Blowfish making their TV debut with Regis and Kathie Lee, recently moving to Nashville, and hosting the CMA Awards with Reba...
WYNN - Wynn At The Movies And Info!
Wynn's Weekend Watch - With Sean Connery Passing This Week, This is Worth a View This Weekend - He Won An Oscar For This!
More Connery Watching - The Rock 1996
Cinema Safe – Great site for movie theater procedures (Site)
Box Office (IN Theaters) Today - Let Him Go!
New DVD -Spongebob The Musical
The Most Streamed Movie – Of the year so far is - Hamilton (Story)
The Second Most Streamed Movie – Of the year is – Borat 2 (Story)
CBS - Says don't worry, all of your holiday favorites will be on their network this holiday Season (Story)
This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lane (link)
Treat Yourself To These Advent Calendars
You could give these as gifts, but I say, don't forget about YOU this holiday season! Buzzfeed has put together a list of 12 different Advent calendars and you are bound to find one that is just right for you. Or for a friend, of course. From Baby Yoda to wine to cosmetics, click here for the full list!
All The Holiday Movies Coming To Netflix!
Halloween is officially over, November is here and that means the holiday movies are coming to Netflix! Some have already began streaming like Holidate, but there are so many more that will be released throughout this month and in December, including Dolly Parton's Christmas On The Square which begins streaming on November 22! Click here for the full list from the TODAY Show.
WYNN - Country Music Memory Lane - The Bellamy Brothers
Roni asked me about her favorite as she loved the Bellamy Brothers, and so did I. They took a very different path to country, that's for sure. They were, and still are, from very rural Florida (San Antonio area). Two huge breaks helped launch their incredible career, and they would then take that great fortune and rattle off (20) #1 Country Hits and many other terrific top ten's. They were one of the very big players in the 1980's and early 1990's. Before we had Brooks And Dunn, we had the Bellamy Brothers. I am proud to say I played all their hits for many years!
Their First "True" #1 Country Hit!
Howard and David Bellamy at the start formed a band called Jericho. They met up with young singer, another Floridian named Jim Stafford from Eloise, Florida. (I've been to Eloise - small) Stafford and David wrote a silly song called Spiders And Snakes that Stafford took to the top five pop and country in 1974, as it sold over a million copies. Howard and David took the money they made from that song and moved to Los Angeles to further their budding music career. Howard became Stafford's road manager, then came the second break, and it was a big one.
Crazy From The Heart - A Really Great Song!
A roadie on mega-star Neil Diamond's stage crew wrote a song for Neil to record, but Diamond passed on it saying it wasn't a good fit for him. The song was then offered to big pop star Johnny Rivers who also passed. A singer named Gene Cotton recorded it in 1975 as part of an album but it went nowhere. Then Neil Diamond's drummer, Dennis St. John, brought the song to the unknown Bellamy's saying, "This song sounds like you guys." The Bellamy's loved it, took the song, and with Neil Diamond's band recorded it in 3 takes. The song? Let Your Love Flow. It became one of the 100 most played songs, of any kind, of the 20th century. It's one of biggest country/pop hits of all time and quite frankly, it's a song everyone knows!
Let Your Love Flow - Not Everyone Records One Of The Biggest Songs Of Any Century
It was number one in the USA and number one in virtually every country at the time that had a music chart. And in most countries it spent several weeks at number one on each chart. It was literally a world wide hit. - These were rare. After a couple of years they found their way to the Country charts for good. They recorded classics like, Redneck Girl, Do You Love As Good As You Look, Old Hippie, and Kids Of The Baby Boom. (Rolling Stone calls Old Hippie one of the best country songs of all time
Old Hippie - A Much Loved Song, By Fans And Critics
They were versatile and struck it big with Crazy From The Heart, Sante Fe, When I'm Away From You, and many others. They were staples on the country charts starting in 1979 then for many years to come. Their sound was extremely country at times and crossover at others. They could sing fun numbers like Reggae Cowboy, Sugar Daddy, or Dancin' Cowboys, to very powerful ballads like I Need More Of You, and You Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie. In time they took on an Island vibe too. Their list of hit songs is far too long for this writing, so Google them to remember, or to learn and discover some of the best country pop you'll ever hear. The Bellamy's are one of those that you may know their music, more than you know them.
I Need More Of You - Another #1
I emceed them many times in my career. They sounded as great in a bar, as they did in a large theater. One thing I remember is that they were always fun. Their shows were a great time. As their chart success slowed down, they didn't, as they still play today.
This Song #1 (Their Sixth) Really Solidified Them On The Country Charts
Yes, they will always be remembered for recording one of the biggest songs of an entire century. I asked them once backstage if they knew at the time they had recorded a classic. They said laughing, "Hell no, you never, ever know." Everything about Let Your Love Flow is fantastic. But the thing that really sticks with me from that song is this. I can't imagine that song being sung by any other artist. It's the definition of making a song your own. Funny, as big of a song as that was, it has not been successfully remade since. Everyone knows, its been done by the right group, the right way, and that's that. Sometimes the mold gets broken.
This Song Was GREAT - Later Bellamy's - 1988 Top 10
The Bellamy Brothers, a gem of a career. Now you know a very cool story.
WYNN - Not Sandwich Month - But Love A Good Sandwich
August is National Sandwich Month, but I have to admit a good sandwich can't wait, and I ran across this cool article.
So, even though it's the start of November, let's sandwich UP!
WYNN - Country In Good Hands - The Big Three - Maren, Kelsea and Carly
There are thousands of things I love about our Country Format. I have played country music on the radio for over 40 years, and one thing that is constant with us is transition. We've been through lot of it, and seems it transitions more every few years I wrote an article about it a few weeks ago (That Ain't Country).
But even though we are nimble, we are still the best, and we have some great new stars that are set to guide us through the next number of years. There will be more of course, but as of this writing here are some of the pillars that show that indeed, even though you can't please all the people all the time, Country is in good hands - The Big Three
Maren Morris / Kelsea Ballerini / Carly Pearce
These three are really a great example of today's country in both the sound and their appeal. And even though their overall styles are different, they are all very popular with their very loyal fan bases. And with their individual syles, they are expanding our appeal outside of our tightly knit format.
Maren Morris
I have been a fan since the beginning. She was on our show a few years ago, Scott And Sarah, and we all loved what we heard. My Church is a GREAT song, and I loved 80's Mercedes. Morris is more about great music than just country music. Her songs do well for us and trend to other charts, because they are good, relatable songs. Morris is one of those rare finds that finds an audience in many corners, and for some reason, no one seems to mind. She is not pigeonholed into any one format, all while not alienating another. Her universal appeal is a good thing. She takes us with her to other charts and genres and fan bases, and I think she brings them back to us. Incredible song choices, a very distinct voice and personal stories told through music. She's a star.
Love This Song!
Kelsea Ballerini
She too was on our show a few years ago, Scott And Sarah, and no one had ever heard of her. When she sings a country song, I think everyone listens. She made history in many ways with her early successes from her first big album. All kinds of number one songs. There is no question that she has been infuenced by pop singers growing up, but she is from Tennessee and her country roots show well too. She has also had a ton of outside exposure on TV that helps us in many ways. She is very likable, and much of her music is as well. She sings directly to her fans in her music, and that's always a good thing.
Fun, Country Song
Carly Pearce
I'm a fan. When she broke in back in 2017, I liked her first few releases. Every Little Thing, and Hide The Wine are big favs of mine. Her most recent success with Lee Brice, I Hope You're Happy Now is a terrific song. I'm a fan of her voice and of her country roots. I have overall liked her song choices and how she delivers a song. I also enjoy that many of her song choices are life based, as it seems she has been to the places she sings about. Well done!
Fantastic Song!
There are of course others that are insuring country moves on and remains on top, but these three seemingly, from the women's side are leading a real nice charge.